Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain completes £40m Liverpool move after rejecting new Arsenal contract

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has completed a £40million move to Liverpool in a blow to Arsenal.

Arsene Wenger decided to cash in after the 24-year-old rejected an extension to a contract - thought to be worth £150,000 a week - which was set to expire next summer.

The England international has signed a six-year deal at Anfield and becomes Arsenal's record departure.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has made no secret of his desire to play in central midfield and Jurgen Klopp is confident his new signing he can be a success in that position.

Oxlade-Chamberlain told the club's official website: “I’m currently away with England, so I’m at St George’s Park. Firstly, I’m delighted to have signed for Liverpool and a big thank you to everyone here at the FA that has made this possible, using the facilities. It has been a massive help.

“I’m not going to say too much today; I’m here with England and we’ve got two big games coming up, so I want to focus on them. But I can’t wait to get to Melwood and you’ll hear first from me on LFCTV.”

Chelsea were looking to lure Oxlade-Chamberlain to Stamford Bridge after agreeing a £40m deal before the Reds, only to be snubbed by the player.

The former Southampton youngster is thought to have rejected the Blues due to a reluctance to play as a wing-back in Antonio Conte's 3-4-3 system.

The midfielder is also believed to view Liverpool as a more stable option given the persistent rumours over Conte’s long-term future and the uncertainty over their other transfer activity.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has played in all three of Arsenal's Premier League games this season, in final outing coming in Sunday's 4-0 loss to Liverpool.

A short statement from Arsenal read: "Alex spent six years with us, making 199 appearances and scoring 20 goals. He helped us to three Emirates FA Cup victories, putting in a man-of-the-match performance in our semi-final win against Manchester City last season.

"A year after his arrival from Southampton, 'The Ox' featured for England at Euro 2012 aged just 18. He currently has 27 senior caps for the Three Lions.

"We'd like to thank Alex for his contribution to the club and wish him well for the future."